Flicka is an 8 Y.O. Quarter Horse mare used for barrel racing and all around ranch horse. She is owned by the referring veterinarian Dr. Tracy Colvin, DVM and her family in Uvalde, TX.

Flicka most likely got her right hind leg kicked by another horse and she became very lame. Radiographs (X-rays) revealed that she suffered a lateral splint bone fracture (MT4) and that it had multiple fragments (arrows depicting broken pieces of the splint bone). She was initially treated with antibiotics, regional limb perfusion, anti-inflammatories (Bute), and bandages.

She was referred to the Western Veterinary Hospital for further diagnostics using a new Robotic Computed Tomography technology (known as Robotic CT scan) because there was a concern that the cannon bone could be fractured (broken) as well.

Good news! Robotic CT scan revealed that the Flicka’s cannon bone was not involved. However, the splint bone fracture extended very close to the lower hock joint where it could cause instability to the hock.

Therefore, based on the robotic CT scan, Flicka was taken to surgery and most of her lateral splint bone was removed. See radiograph below. The recovery from anesthesia was uneventful and her bandage was changed 48 hrs after the surgery. See Picture below.

Flicka went home and she is doing very well. She is on a rehabilitation program for 60 days with gradual increase in hand walks and then trot. And if she is doing well in 60 days she will gradually return to a routine exercise program.